Device for magnetically treating materials and associated methods

Abstract

A device for magnetically treating materials includes a base, and at least one magnet carried by the base to generate a magnetic field within the material. In some embodiments, the material may be within a container, and the magnetic field may be generated within the container to magnetically treat the material. The material may be a beverage and the magnetic treatment may enhance the flavor of the beverage, or may be an emollient and the magnetic treatment may change a characteristic of the emollient. The device may include a base, a plurality of tubular members extending upwardly from the base and arranged in spaced-apart relation to receive the material, and at least one magnet within each of the tubular members to generate a magnetic field within the material.

1. A device for magnetically treating material in a container, the device comprising:
 a base;  
 at least three tubular members extending upwardly from said base and arranged in spaced-apart relation to define at least three points on said base receive the material in the container therebetween; and  
 at least one magnet within each of said tubular members to generate a corresponding plurality of magnetic fields within the material.  
 
     
     
       2. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said base has a generally polygonal shape; and wherein said tubular members are positioned adjacent respective vertices of the polygonally shaped base. 
     
     
       3. A device according to  claim 2  wherein said polygonal shape comprises a square. 
     
     
       4. A device according to  claim 2  wherein said polygonal shape comprises an equilateral triangle. 
     
     
       5. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said tubular members are fixed to said base. 
     
     
       6. A device according to  claim 5  wherein said base and said tubular members are integrally formed as a monolithic unit. 
     
     
       7. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said tubular members are slidably positioned on said base to facilitate repositioning thereof. 
     
     
       8. A device according to  claim 7  wherein said base has elongated slots formed therein to slidably receive respective ends of said tubular members. 
     
     
       9. A device according to  claim 8  wherein each slot and respective end form an elongated dovetail joint. 
     
     
       10. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said base and said tubular members comprise non-magnetic material. 
     
     
       11. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said base and said tubular members comprise plastic. 
     
     
       12. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said magnets comprise neodymium. 
     
     
       13. A device according to  claim 1  wherein said tubular members are arranged along points of an imaginary cylinder. 
     
     
       14. A device for magnetically treating material in a container, the device comprising:
 a base;  
 at least three tubular members integrally formed with said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said tubular members arranged in spaced-apart relation to define at least three points on said base to receive the material in the container therebetween; and  
 at least one permanent magnet within each of said tubular members to generate a corresponding plurality of magnetic fields within material.  
 
     
     
       15. A device according to  claim 14  wherein said base has a generally polygonal shape; and wherein said tubular members are positioned adjacent respective vertices of the polygonally shaped base. 
     
     
       16. A device according to  claim 15  wherein said polygonal shape comprises a square. 
     
     
       17. A device according to  claim 15  wherein said polygonal shape comprises an equilateral triangle. 
     
     
       18. A device according to  claim 14  wherein said base and said tubular members comprise non-magnetic material. 
     
     
       19. A device according to  claim 14  wherein said base and said tubular members comprise plastic. 
     
     
       20. A device according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one permanent magnet comprises neodymium. 
     
     
       21. A device according to  claim 14  wherein said tubular members are arranged along points of an imaginary cylinder. 
     
     
       22. A device for magnetically treating material in a container, the device comprising:
 a base;  
 at least three tubular members extending upwardly from said base and arranged in spaced-apart relation to define at least three points on said base to receive the material in the container therebetween;  
 said tubular members slidably positioned on said base to facilitate repositioning thereof; and  
 at least one permanent magnet within each of said tubular members to generate a corresponding plurality of magnetic fields within material.  
 
     
     
       23. A device according to  claim 22  wherein said base has a generally polygonal shape; and wherein said tubular members are positioned adjacent respective vertices of the polygonally shaped base. 
     
     
       24. A device according to  claim 22  wherein said polygonal shape comprises a square. 
     
     
       25. A device according to  claim 22  wherein said polygonal shape comprises an equilateral triangle. 
     
     
       26. A device according to  claim 22  wherein said base has elongated slots formed therein to slidably receive respective ends of said tubular members. 
     
     
       27. A device according to  claim 26  wherein each slot and respective end form an elongated dovetail joint. 
     
     
       28. A device according to  claim 22  wherein said base and said tubular members comprise non-magnetic material. 
     
     
       29. A device according to  claim 22  wherein said base and said tubular members comprise plastic. 
     
     
       30. A device according to  claim 22  wherein said at least one permanent magnet comprises neodymium. 
     
     
       31. A device according to  claim 22  wherein said tubular members are arranged along points of an imaginary cylinder. 
     
     
       32. A method for enhancing beverage flavor comprising:
 providing a device comprising a base, a plurality of spaced-apart tubular members extending upwardly from the base to define an imaginary cylinder therebetween, and at least one magnet within each of the tubular members; and  
 positioning a container on the base and between the spaced-apart tubular members to expose a beverage in the container to a correspondingly plurality of magnetic fields to thereby enhance beverage flavor.  
 
     
     
       33. A method according to  claim 32  wherein the tubular members are slidably positioned on the base; and further comprising slidably positioning the tubular members on the base to accommodate a size of the container. 
     
     
       34. A method according to  claim 32  wherein the beverage comprises a dairy product beverage. 
     
     
       35. A method according to  claim 32  wherein the beverage comprises an alcoholic beverage. 
     
     
       36. A method according to  claim 32  wherein the beverage comprises a citrus juice beverage. 
     
     
       37. A method according to  claim 32  wherein the tubular members are at least three in number. 
     
     
       38. A method for changing characteristics of an emollient, the method comprising:
 providing a device comprising a base, a plurality of spaced-apart tubular members extending upwardly from the base to define an imaginary cylinder therebetween, and at least one magnet within each of the tubular members; and  
 positioning a container on the base and between the plurality of spaced-apart tubular members to expose the emollient in the container to a corresponding plurality of magnetic fields to change the characteristics of the emollient.  
 
     
     
       39. A method according to  claim 38  wherein the base and the plurality of spaced-apart tubular members are integrally formed as a monolithic unit. 
     
     
       40. A method according to  claim 38  further comprising slidably positioning the plurality of tubular members on the base. 
     
     
       41. A device for magnetically treating material in a container, the device comprising:
 a base;  
 at least three elongate members extending upwardly from said base and arranged in spaced-apart relation to define at least three points on said base to receive the material in the container therebetween; and  
 at least one magnet carried by each of said elongate members to generate a corresponding plurality of magnetic fields within the material.  
 
     
     
       42. A device according to  claim 41  wherein said base has a generally polygonal shape; and wherein said elongate members are positioned adjacent respective vertices of the polygonally shaped base. 
     
     
       43. A device according to  claim 41  wherein said elongate members are fixed to said base. 
     
     
       44. A device according to  claim 43  wherein said base and said elongate members are integrally formed as a monolithic unit. 
     
     
       45. A device according to  claim 41  wherein said elongate members are slidably positioned on said base to facilitate repositioning thereof. 
     
     
       46. A device according to  claim 45  wherein said base has elongated slots formed therein to slidably receive respective ends of said elongate members. 
     
     
       47. A device according to  claim 46  wherein each slot and respective end form an elongated dovetail joint.